TIDAE

727. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis carolinensis._

Range.--United States east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to
southern Canada; resident throughout its range.

These birds are creepers, but unlike the last species, these run about
on the trunks, either up or down; their tails are not pointed and
stiffened like those of the Brown Creepers, and their plumage is gray
and black above with a black crown, and white below. They nest in holes
in trees, usually deep in the woods and at any elevation from the
ground; they nearly always use deserted Woodpeckers' holes but are said
at times to excavate their own, with great labor as their bills are
little adapted for that work. They line the cavities with bark strips
and hair or feathers, and during April or May, lay from four to nine
white eggs, profusely specked with reddish brown and lilac. Size .80 x
.60. Data.--Lancaster, Mass., May 16, 1902. Nest in hole in an oak tree,
45 feet above ground; made of fine strips of bark fibre and hair.

727a. SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis aculeata._

Range.--North America, west of the Rockies and from Mexico to British
Columbia.

This species is as abundant in the west as the last is in the east, and
nests in like situations. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of
the eastern birds.

727b. FLORIDA WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis atkinsi._

Range.--Florida and the South Atlantic coast to South Carolina.

The habits and eggs of these birds are like those of the northern ones.

727c. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis nelsoni._

Range.--Rocky Mountains from Mexico north to British Columbia.

Their nesting habits or eggs are not distinctive in any respect.

727d. SAN LUCAS NUTHATCH. _Sitta carolinensis lagunae._

Range.--Mountain ranges of Lower California.

Said to be like _aculeata_ but with the wings and tail slightly shorter.

[Illustration 433: White-breasted Nuthatch.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

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728. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. _Sitta canadensis._

Range.--North America, breeding from the northern tier of states
northward, and farther south in mountain ranges; winters south to
southern United States.

This species is smaller than the last and has reddish brown underparts
and a black stripe through the eye. The breeding habits are the same as
those of the White-bellied variety, but these birds almos